It is difficult for me to imagine how Paul must have felt the day he was forced to confront the Apostle Peter over his inconsistency in dealing with Gentiles in the church. He held Cephas (his Jewish name) in the highest esteem. Like others, he saw him as somewhat of a spiritual hero. He had made a tragic mistake the night of the Lord’s betrayal, denying him three times. And yet he had not allowed this terrible error to destroy him. He was enough of a man to admit his wrong and repent of his sin, and then make a new start of things.

His voice had been bold in announcing to the leadership in Jerusalem that they also had committed grievous sin in rejecting God’s Messiah and turning him over to the Romans for execution. His powerful messages are recorded by Luke in Acts 2 and 3. Moreover, he had heroically endured persecution, public humiliation, and a brutal beating at the hands of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. So he was clearly a man who was to be reckoned with! He was no ordinary fellow, devoid of reputation.

As well, and particularly importantly in the case of acceptance of Gentiles into full fellowship in the church, he had shown magnificent courage in his actions with them at the household of Cornelius (Acts 10). He said to his Jewish compatriots, “Can any man forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:47, 48).

Then, when he went back to Jerusalem, he vociferously defended his actions before those who questioned him on the matter (11:2ff). He ranked as one of the “pillars” on the church there and wherever saints were found (Gal. 2:9). Further, from Paul’s perspective he was a giant: the important work that Paul was doing among the Gentiles was based on the preliminary groundbreaking efforts of Peter. So there was much to thank him for, and to look up to him about.

But in the later matter of treatment of the new Gentile converts at Antioch, Peter had wavered and cowered (Gal. 2:11). He had shown himself weak in the presence of certain figures who had recently come from the Jewish capitol and who were aligned with James (even though James would not have agreed with them on their actions in this case, as is evident from his own words in Acts 15). The fact that these people had not submitted first to circumcision like other proselytes and converts to Jewish faith and practice, led them to hold these people at arm’s length and refuse to eat with them. Never mind that they were members of the church of Christ and not of the nation of Israel or of the Jewish community. They had been converted to Jesus not Moses. Unfortunately Cephas did not show strength in this case, choosing rather to appear as if he sided with this brazen element in the church.

Hence, Paul was forced to confront him for his hypocrisy. It could not be allowed to stand that one of the Twelve Apostles on account of his vacillating behavior appeared to be in agreement with this twisted way of thinking. Oh, how it must have pained Paul to take this action! One can only imagine how he must have dreaded the confrontation! We all know how it feels to have something unpleasant to do that needs doing very badly. We lie awake all night the night before, planning it precisely and selecting the words that we will use. But then most of that goes out the window the moment we actually face the situation and the person involved. It is not pleasant!

And yet he knew that he must do this thing because it had to be done or else all of the work would have been wasted that he had accomplished in the preceding years to show the Gentiles that “the dividing wall of hostility” had been taken down and that they were in full fellowship with all of the saints past and present (Eph. 2:14-15). They were children of God on account of their faith in Christ and in spite of their lack of a fleshly connection with Abraham (Gal. 3:27-29).

In the end Paul did his duty and the outcome was the best that could be expected under the circumstances. From that day on the Gentiles would be treated fairly and equally in the church. But it cost Paul dearly. No doubt the circumcision party hated Paul for what he had done. At first Peter was no doubt embarrassed and felt that he had lost face among some of his Jewish brethren. Even Barnabas had been swept away in the maelstrom that attended Peter’s cowardly behavior (Gal. 2:13).

What Paul had previously surrendered he was unwilling now to reactivate in order to win favor with these legalists, even if it meant alienation from Cephas: “For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:19-20).

That text is one of the most memorable passages in the New Testament. And yet it must be recognized that it was forged in the fire of controversy and poured forth from the crucible of religious debate. Following the example of Jesus before him in his dealings with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Paul dealt with this error with an iron-like will. He refused to yield to these trouble-makers. And it had to be done whatever Peter’s feelings were to be toward him in the future! If their friendship was to be ended, so be it. Truth is more important than friendship. (We are happy to report, however, that Peter showed great respect and admiration for Paul even after this event, to his everlasting credit; see 2 Peter 3:15).

We cannot buy into the false narrative that peace is the first of all of the virtues, or that falsehood must be assuaged and appeased at any and all costs in order to enjoy peace. Truth comes before peace in priority. So does righteousness. If peace can be had in the presence of truth and righteousness, then so be it. That is certainly the way things ought to be. But if error and wickedness wish to have a conflict, then let them unsheathe their swords! There are some even today like Paul back then, who will without hesitation take them on. And we have no less an example before us than that of Paul in his confrontation with Peter. Some things are indeed worth fighting for, and truth and righteousness rank near the top of that list!